Guide
Is Dating in GTA 6 Cheating? What the YouGov Poll Actually Found
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Current status
- Current status: BBC story published October 19, 2026. Widely shared and mocked online.
- Last verified: October 21, 2026.
- Sources checked: BBC News, YouGov's daily question page, IGN.
- What is confirmed: the poll question and topline numbers as YouGov and the BBC published them.
- What is not confirmed yet: nothing in GTA 6 itself forces a romance. Rockstar has said players don't have to build one (BBC).
The numbers
Reported (YouGov, via BBC and IGN):
| Answer | All adults | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| It is cheating | About 6% | 4% | 7% |
| Not cheating, but not OK with it | 19% | 13% | 24% |
The question asked about a game that "required their character to maintain a romantic relationship with another character" (YouGov). It's a UK sample, and it isn't specific to GTA 6.
Analysis: most respondents don't object at all. The headline-friendly part is the one in four who object in some way.
What the BBC story said about GTA 6
Reported (BBC):
- Jason and Lucia's relationship can grow outside the main story through shopping, bars, restaurants and working out together.
- Small actions like holding hands and replying to texts help build the bond.
- Rockstar has said players don't have to make them a full romantic couple.
The BBC quoted Florida State University associate professor Arienne Ferchaud: "Games are doing a better job of mimicking reality and mimicking social relationships." The game's systems are in our character switching guide.
The backlash
Reported (IGN): players pushed back on the BBC's headline. IGN quoted replies like "video game characters are not real, get a grip."
Analysis: romance options have existed for decades, from Harvest Moon to The Sims, as the BBC itself notes. What's new is that GTA 6's relationship is between the two playable leads, so it's central rather than a side option.
Confirmed vs rumored: the cheating poll
| Claim | Status |
|---|---|
| YouGov polled 4,000+ British adults in September 2026 | Reported (YouGov, BBC) |
| About 6% call a game romance cheating | Reported |
| 19% say not cheating but not OK | Reported |
| The poll was about GTA 6 specifically | No, it was a general question |
| GTA 6 forces a romance | No, Rockstar says it's optional (per BBC) |
The bottom line
Most people in the poll don't think a game romance is cheating. The GTA 6 angle is the BBC's framing. In the game, how close Jason and Lucia get is up to you.
Sources checked
- BBC News: Can you cheat on someone with a video game character?
- YouGov daily question
- IGN: adults on video game relationships
Update log: 2026-10-21: Published.
Frequently asked questions
- Do people think dating in GTA 6 is cheating?
- In a YouGov poll of 4,000+ British adults, about 6% said a game romance counts as cheating, and 19% said it isn't cheating but they wouldn't be OK with it.
- Is the romance in GTA 6 required?
- No. The BBC reports Rockstar has said Jason and Lucia don't have to become a full romantic couple.
- Was the YouGov poll about GTA 6?
- No. It was a general question about video game relationships. The BBC linked it to GTA 6.
Keep exploring GTA 6
Has played every mainline Grand Theft Auto since GTA III in 2001.
Editorial note: GTA6Home is an independent fan resource and is not affiliated with Rockstar Games or Take-Two Interactive. We track official Rockstar announcements and update this guide whenever the facts change — the “Last updated” date above reflects the latest review. Anything not officially confirmed is labeled per our Editorial Policy.